In my first year at the University, many classmates and I had no clue about calculating our GPA, let alone CGPA.
I remember how we ran helter-skelter to calculate our Cumulative Grade Point Average for the NNPC/Total Undergraduate Scholarship.
The calculation of CGPA at the University sounded like complex mathematics work.
Some students had to pay senior students for the calculation of their results.
Well, the calculation of CGPA is not a complex mathematics problem. It is easy, and you can do it yourself by following the steps in this post.
In this post, I will be showing you the easy way that you can use to calculate the GPA for your first and second semesters. You will learn how to calculate GPA from CGPA.
Also, you will know how to calculate CGPA in Nigerian Universities like the University of Ibadan, UNN, AAU, UNILAG, NOUN, OAU, UNIPORT, UNILORIN, etc. and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Note that the method for calculating GPA and CGPA in all Nigerian Universities is the same as the procedures here.
First-year and other students will find this post helpful. But first, let me explain the meaning of GPA and CGPA in Nigerian Universities.
Let me know in the comment box if you need clarification. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Table of contents
Nigerian University Grading System
The grading system in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions uses over a hundred scores.
Thirty (30) marks are for continuous assessment, while seventy (70) is for examination scores.
Test scores, assignment and class presentation makes up your continuous assessment.
Here is the grading system for Nigerian Universities;
| Score | Grade | Points | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 – 100 | A | 5 | Excellent |
| 60 – 69 | B | 4 | Very Good |
| 50 – 59 | C | 3 | Good |
| 45 – 49 | D | 2 | Pass |
| 40 – 44 | E | 1 | Fair |
| 0 – 39 | F | 0 | Fail |
GPA
GPA stands for grade point average. It is the grade point for your first and second-semester results.
You need to know your course score to calculate either semester’s GPA.
Below is a sample of a first-year student’s first and second-semester results at the University.
First Semester Course Outline
| Course Code | Course Title | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 101 | Elements of Accounting I | 2 |
| COS 101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Logic | 2 |
| MAN 101 | Principles of Small Business Economics | 2 |
| MTH 111 | General Mathematics I | 3 |
| MAN 141 | Elements of Business Economics I | 3 |
| GSP 101 | The Use of English I | 2 |
| GSP 105 | Natural Science I | 2 |
| Total | 19 |
First Semester Result
| Course Code | Course Title | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 101 | Elements of Accounting I | 46 | D |
| COS 101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 75 | A |
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Logic | 66 | B |
| MAN 101 | Principles of Small Business Economics | 43 | E |
| MTH 111 | General Mathematics I | 54 | C |
| MAN 141 | Elements of Business Economics I | 87 | A |
| GSP 101 | The Use of English I | 49 | D |
| GSP 105 | Natural Science I | 57 | C |
First Semester GPA Calculation
| Course Code | Unit | Grade | Point | Unit x Point | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 101 | 2 | D | 2 | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| COS 101 | 3 | A | 5 | 3 x 5 | 15 |
| PHI 101 | 2 | B | 4 | 2 x 4 | 8 |
| MAN 101 | 2 | E | 1 | 2 x 1 | 2 |
| MTH 111 | 3 | C | 3 | 3 x 3 | 9 |
| MAN 141 | 3 | A | 5 | 3 x 5 | 15 |
| GSP 101 | 2 | D | 2 | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| GSP 105 | 2 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 | 6 |
| Total | 19 | – | 25 | – | 63 |
GPA Formula
The formula for calculating CPA is Quality Point/Credit Unit or Total/Unit
- Unit = Credit Unit
- Total = Quality Point
You will divide the total point by the total number of credit unit loads for the first semester.
- Total Quality Point (TQP) = 63
- Total Credit Uni (TCU) = 19
- GPA = 63/19 = 3.32
From our calculation, the CPA for the first semester is 3.32.
Now let us calculate the GPA for the second semester.
Second Semester Course Outline
| Course Code | Course Title | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 102 | Elements of Accounting II | 2 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 2 |
| BF 101 | Introduction to Finance | 2 |
| MTH 112 | General Mathematics II | 2 |
| MAN 142 | Elements of Business Economics II | 3 |
| GSP 102 | The Use of English II | 2 |
| GSP 106 | Natural Science II | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
Second Semester Result
The table below shows the second-semester result we would use for the calculation.
| Course Code | Course Title | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 102 | Elements of Accounting II | 65 | B |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 56 | C |
| BF 101 | Introduction to Finance | 44 | E |
| MTH 112 | General Mathematics II | 59 | C |
| MAN 142 | Elements of Business Economics II | 78 | A |
| GSP 102 | The Use of English II | 49 | D |
| GSP 106 | Natural Science II | 81 | A |
Second Semester GPA Calculation
| Course Code | Unit | Grade | Point | Unit x Point | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 102 | 2 | B | 4 | 2 x 4 | 8 |
| PSY 101 | 2 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 | 6 |
| BF 101 | 2 | E | 1 | 2 x 1 | 2 |
| MTH 112 | 2 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 | 6 |
| MAN 142 | 3 | A | 5 | 3 x 5 | 15 |
| GSP 102 | 2 | D | 2 | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| GSP 106 | 2 | A | 5 | 2 x 5 | 10 |
| Total | 15 | – | 23 | – | 51 |
You will divide the total point by the total number of credit unit loads for the second semester.
- Total Quality Point (TQP) = 51
- Total Credit Uni (TCU) = 15
- GPA = 51/15 = 3.4
From our calculation, the CPA for the first semester is 3.4.
Now, we can calculate the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
I hope you have understood the calculations up to this point. Let me know in the comment if there is any confusion.
CGPA
CGPA stands for cumulative grade point average. It is an addition to your first and second semester GPA.
An academic session in the University comprises the first and second semesters.
The formula to calculate the CGPA is the summation of the Total Quality Point (TQP)/Total Credit Unit (TCU) for both semesters of the first year.
CGPA Formula = Σ TQP/TCU
| First Year | Total Quality Point (TQP) | Total Credit Unit (TCU) |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | 63 | 19 |
| Second semester | 51 | 15 |
| Total | 114 | 34 |
CGPA = Σ TQP/TCU
CGPA = 114 + 34 = 3.35
From our calculation, the CGPA for the first year is 3.35.
Now let us calculate the final CGPA for a four year course.
Final Year CGPA
The final year CGPA is an addition to your Total Quality Point and Total Credit Unit from the first to your last year.
For this calculation, I will sum the Total Quality Point (TQP) and Total Credit Unit (TCU) for each academic session.
Below is the CGPA of a student from the first year to the final year.
| Level | Total Quality Point (TQP) | Total Credit Unit (TCU) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 114 | 34 |
| 200 | 120 | 32 |
| 300 | 123 | 30 |
| 400 | 130 | 28 |
| Total | 487 | 124 |
Final CGPA = Σ TQP/TCU
Final CGPA = 487/124 = 3.93
From our calculation, the graduating CGPA is 3.93.
The same procedure applies to students studying a five (5) or six (6) years course at the University.
Nigerian Degree Categories
| CGPA | Degree Category |
|---|---|
| 4.50 – 5.0 | First Class |
| 3.50 – 4.49 | Second Class (Upper) |
| 2.50 – 3.49 | Second Class Lower |
| Less than 2.49 | Third Class |
Let me know in the comment if you have any questions or need further clarification.
Hi Blessing,
Well done on the good work of breaking this down. As you said, many people do not understand it.
Dear Pete,
Thank you for engaging our Post.
The calculation you did is for 4years course. If it were to be a 5yrss course. Would it be addition of all cgpa for the 5years divided by 5?
Yes, Comfort
It would be divided by 5 for a five (5) year course.
Wow! This is what I have been looking for . It’s very helpful thanks for update. Cheers
Hello Masaga,
I am glad you find this post helpful.
Thanks for this post, it’s really helpful but please, can i still have first class if i did direct entry and started from year two? And how will they calculate my score?
Yes, Divine.
You can make a first-class as a Direct Entry student.
The only difference is that your CGPA would be divided by three (3) or four (4) depending on the duration of your course.
My CGPA from yr 1 to yr 4 1st semester is 4.26
I am currently doing a 5yr program… Can I still make a first class? Or is it too late?
Vanvicko,
Do the calculations with a CGPA of 5.0 for your final year and fourth year second semester.
Check if it will sum up to a first-class CGPA.
That way you will know your chances.
To get the Final CGPA, is it the total sum of all semesters ( including first and second) or only second semester?
Prisca,
It is the total of your CGPA (GPA for the first and second semester) for each academic session divided by the duration of your course of study.
Watch the video on this page to get a clear explanation of calculating your CGPA.
Let me know if you have further questions.
Please explain this vividly for us who did direct entry.
I graduated with 2.99 in my ND program and I got admitted through direct entry.
How will my result be calculated.
If I then get 3.5 in my first semester year 2(direct entry) how would my cgpa be calculated adding my previous school CGPA.
Please explain with series of examples. Thanks.
Hello, Ken
Universities do not add your ND CGPA to your grade.
So, your ND result has nothing to do with your result here at the university.
Your result would be calculated like every other student except for the first year.
Let me know if you need further guidance.
Will a carryover have thesame grade or less?
Yes, Ogo
A carryover has the same grade.
If someone had an extension will it affect the calculation of CGPA??? If yes kindly explain how. Thanks
If by extension you mean an extra year.
Then, it will affect your CGPA in a good way.
An extra year is a good chance to increase your CGPA. This is because you have the opportunity to take extra courses that will boost your CGPA.
Let me know if you have further questions.
Yes please I will like to talk to you privately, maybe via email. How can that be possible please.
Alright, Ogo
Scroll down to the bottom of this page.
You will see a Contact Us page link.
Dear sir,
For a Direct Entry student who got 4.19 in first semester exam in 200level. Is it still possible to graduate with 1st class? what are the chances
Yes, Freeman
You have a good chance to graduate in a first-class.
Good evening.. for example you did direct entry programme and then started university from year 2 after finishing the direct entry programme.. how would you calculate your results
Hello Abasiubong,
It is the same process for direct entry students.
For example, the final CGPA for DE students studying a four (4) will be Session CGPA/3
Can a 3.45 be approximated to 2.1?
No, James.
2.1 is 3.5 to 4.49.
If I have a …
3.0 in my first year
2.98 in my second year
3.55 in my third year, can I graduate with a 4.0 in my fifth year?
Assuming you get a 5.0 CGPA in your final year.
It would not be up to a 4.0.
Can someone with 4.45 in their thirdly year still make first class?
It is possible if you can get a high CGPA in your final year.
Someone who had 100 1.96 CPGA
200 2.59
300 3.28
Not yet done 400 &500 can the person have still have first class
No, it is not possible.
But the person can make a 2.1 assuming he/she gets 5.0 CGPA in both 400 and 500 levels.
Good evening please if for example. You are on a 5 years course and your CGPA for your year 1-4 is 3.34. then your year 5 CGPA is 4.05. how do you calculate to get your final CGPA. do you add 3.34 + 4.05 and divide by 2? Please respond in my email thanks
Thanks for being so detailed,it really helped 🙂
Shemilore,
I’m glad that you find the tutorial helpful.
Cheers.